president obama does okay on that score. he's 48% of the country say he's trying to bring the country together. 43% say he's taking a partisan approach. but republicans get hammered by the public. only 22% credit republicans with trying to bring the country together. three times that many just about, 64%, say they're driving the country apart -- in a partisan way. and when you look at the issues at stake, each side has some advantages. but -- from the democratic point of view, looking out for the middle class, 22% advantage for the democrats. on the issue of taxes which is traditionally a republican strength, democrats have a small advantage plus 3%. republicans on the flip side, who would do better at protecting a strong defense? 26% advantage for republicans. who'd do better at reducing the deficit? 6% advantage for republicans. so each side brings strengths to this issue. but president obama clearly has the high ground in terms of the bully pulpit and trying to put pressure on republicans. he hasn't been able to put enoug